Oil on canvas portrait of Anne-Marie-Louise d’Orléans, Duchess of Montpensier (1657-1693), after the portrait made by the workshop of Charles and Henri Beaubrun, around 1660.
History refers to her by the nickname of “Grand Mademoiselle” because of the title of “Grand Monsieur” held by her father, Gaston de France (1608-1660) Granddaughter of Henri IV, first cousin of Louis XIV, Anne-Marie-Louise d’Orléans is one of the richest princesses in Europe. A formidable businesswoman, she is at the heart of many intrigues. She participates in the Fronde against the government of the regent Anne of Austria and her minister Mazarin, gets involved in politics, harangues the people and commands men. The Grande Mademoiselle, is proud and independent, more than aware of her rank and her fortune, she stands up to Louis XIV and refuses the political marriages that he wants to impose on her. A woman of paradox, she refuses those unworthy of her rank but, free above all, she swoons for Lauzun, a handsome social climber. This marriage, so unbalanced, scandalizes the court, Louis XIV brings her back to reason but Anne-Marie-Louise is inconsolable. She will finally succeed in marrying him after many adventures and financial negotiations by making the Duke of Maine (Louis XIV’s natural son) her heir. The Grande Mademoiselle is also a woman of arts and letters, she is close to Roger de Bussy-Rabutin and Jean-Baptiste Lully, a young Florentine and future Superintendent of Music, whom she recruits to learn Italian and whom she introduces to the Court.
